≡ Menu

2nd Massachusetts Cavalry

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this unit’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Muster In: Company “A” organized at San Francisco, Cal., December 10, 1862. Arrived at Readville, Mass., January 4, 1863. Companies “B,” “C,” “D,” “G,” “H,” “I” and “K” organized at Camp Meigs, Readville, Mass. Companies “E,” “F,” “L” and “M” organized at San Francisco, Cal., February and March, 1863. Left San Francisco for Readville. Mass., March 21 and joined Regiment at Readville, Mass., as California Battalion April 16, 1863.1
Muster Out: July 20, 18652

Commander(s):
Colonel Casper Crowninshield
CasperCrowninshield2ndMACavv95p48543

Commander 2
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet present at the Siege of Petersburg.4

Second Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet present at the Siege of Petersburg.5

Third Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet present at the Siege of Petersburg.6

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet present at the Siege of Petersburg.7

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet present at the Siege of Petersburg.8

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet present at the Siege of Petersburg.9

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet present at the Siege of Petersburg.10

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet present at the Siege of Petersburg.11

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: Third (Reserve) Brigade | First Division | Cavalry | Army of the Shenandoah | Union Army12,13

  • Commander: Colonel Casper Crowninshield (March 31, 1865)14
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Sheridan’s cavalry from the Army of the Shenandoah, formerly the 1st and 3rd Divisions, Cavalry Corps, AotP, crossed the James River from the north side on March 26, 1865 to rejoin the Union Armies operating against Richmond and Petersburg.

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles15:

  • South Anna Bridge March 14.
  • Destruction of Virginia Central Railroad and James River Canal.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • White Oak Road, near Five Forks, March 30.
  • Dinwiddie Court House March 30-31.
  • Five Forks April 1.
  • Scott’s Cross Roads April 2.
  • Tabernacle Church or Beaver Pond Creek April 4.
  • Sailor’s Creek April 6.
  • Appomattox Station April 8.
  • Appomattox Court House April 9.
  • Surrender of Lee and his army.

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Sources:

    1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    3. Casper Crowninshield image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 95, Page 4854.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA.
    4. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    5. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    6. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    7. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    8. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    9. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    10. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    11. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    12. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 575: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    13. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 591: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865”
    14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 575: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    15. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    { 0 comments… add one }

    Leave a Reply